Little Old Hymnals

SO- When I find a tiny old hymnal

 in an antique store...

and it is $1,

with a leather cover...

it comes home with me.

A Sunday School Hymn book.

Categories for Hymns might 

be a bit different than today-

-For Persons Convinced of Backsliding.

-For Backsliders Recovered.

Wesley Hymns-
with words of John Wesley from 1779.
There is no copyright in the book.
Simply- "Entered at Stationer's Hall, 
According to Act of Parliament."
John Wesley states- "to be used in all 
our congregations throughout 
Great Britain and Ireland."
Pocketsized-
to carry with you.
No music notes- just the words-
"to be a crown that fadeth not away."
The places this little book would
have been would be a great story.
The lives it would have known-
interesting.
Do you like little books?

Wal-Mart carries a new one-
Wesley-s-Hymns-and-the-Methodist-
Sunday-School-Hymn-Book-
for $30. But, without the cool cover 
and the years of handling.
That's priceless.

Faithfully Connected- Book Review

Faithfully Connected-

 Integrating Biblical Principles in a Digital World

 by Ben Boche and Jake Hollatz.

I have been waiting for such a clearly written

 and user-friendly book on spiritual eformation

 for our homes, churches and classrooms.

Concordia Publishing House 

teams up with Dr. Ben Boche-a former

Professor of Education 

at Concordia University - Chicago. Ben is now
at the University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh 
as an assistant professor of education
 in the Dept. of Literary and Language.
 Co-author Dr. Jake Hollatzz is the 

Principal of St. John Lutheran School

 in Orange, California.
This duo delivers a timely and useable resource.

They frame their outline of digital citizenship

 with the responsible use of technology. 

Boche and Hollatz weave in foundational 

Biblical principles with a Catechism focus.

They give a framework 

for both parents and educators

 as we all navigate learning 

in this rapidly changing digital world.

  Included in their book are classroom lesson plans

 with essential questions, standards or goals, 

assessment and a list of instructional materials.

Digital topics included in their book include:

access, commerce, communication,

 literary, etiquette, law, 

rights and responsibilities, 

health and wellness, and security.

This educator team are on track 
for helping us facilitate

 the faith journey in the digital world

 from citizens to leaders.

A great tool for family life educators

 in the church and school setting.

A wonderful resource to help parents

 have meaningful conversations 

with their digital native children.
Thanks to Ben and Jake for this timely tool
to help foster important conversations
 about we will live faithfully 
in this trans-media generation.

Digitized- Spiritual Implications of Technology- Book Review

I have been teaching and talking about

 living as deployed digital missionaries

 for about 10 years now.

This 2018 Concordia Publishing House book

 by Bernard Bull actually uses this

term within the framework of eformation.

Bull has studied technology trends 

for more than 20 years 

and is an associate professor of education

 at Concordia University Wisconsin.

His book is divided into 2 parts.

Part One:  How is Technology Shaping Us?

The chapters deal with information overload, 

information addition, the "daily me", 

hyperreality, celebrity, digital safety and security.

 I hear many conversations 

about the changing technology paradigm 

and the shift of influence for parenting. 

I rarely hear where adults 

are seeking good information

 and thoughtful tending of the issues they face.

The strength of Bull's writing is that he offers

 a framework of reflections and questions

 to look at digital culture

 and its impact on Christians. 

Scripture is the source of truth 

and outlines the way we need 

to respond to technology.

Even when we might wish for a 

less complicated digital world- 

we do live here and now- 

for such a time as this.

(Esther 4:14)

Technology IS shaping our thoughts, 

actions, families, communities and employment.

So.....

Part 2: How Do We Respond?

Even though it appears EVERYthing has changed,

some things have not.

The Triune God, God's Word, Human Nature,

Fundamental Human Needs and Desires, and 

God's Promises remain unchanged.

With the longtime tension 

between Christ and culture, 

we must begin to think like a missionary.

We are called to be witnesses of the 

Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people.

In order to do that we need to engage the culture,

 learn the language, and build relationships.

This is the outline for living on mission

 in this time and place. 

Bull outlines 10 ways 

to embrace a missionary mindset.

This list is worthy of contemplation 

and discussion with collaboration and fellowship.

God's Word is a Lamp and Guide 

in the digital world 

and we need to build discernment skills

 that will equip us for this lifelong endeavor.

There is also a review of possible ways

 to approach faith and life in the digital world.

That can include everything from blogs and 

digital storytelling to podcasts and video sharing.

Bull's writing stresses the importance 

of asking questions, and evaluating 

rather than just offering distant criticism.

He also cautions about 

"jumping to overly judgmental or legalistic claims

 about the digital world, 

as well as the opposite extreme 

of blindly accepting and embracing

 every new development or innovation."

Digitized- spiritual Implications of Technology 

can be helpful for families navigating 

the intent and purpose of digital forms

 as well as school and church staffs and communities.

It is time to outline a plan to 

"think like a missionary."